Paul Warne pleased to get job done as MK Dons grind out win over Colchester

Paul Warne said he was pleased his side could battle their way to victory as his MK Dons side recorded a 1-0 win over Colchester.

An own goal by Matt Macey was the decisive moment as the Dons picked up three points, beating the last side who they lost a League 2 match too. The Dons are now unbeaten in 14 League 2 games and 7 points above the play-offs.

Reflecting on the game, Warne said he felt his side could’ve played a little more conviction but that they defended well and did well to grind out the points.

He said, “We spent all our time since the Saturday game talking about how they play is with a back four and how they’d only played with a five once this year, then they played with a five tonight. But that’s credit to the lads – teams are changing the way they play. Colchester are normally front-footed but they sort of sunk in tonight and I just didn’t think we moved the ball quick enough in the first half. We had a lot of passes but most of them were sideways or backwards.

“Obviously, we got a goal and deserved our lead and then the game sort-of changed in the second half. We defended well but didn’t have a shot on target, so it probably felt more hairy and scary than it actually was, but yeah, we just won the game and we’ll move on. It won’t be one I put on my highlight reel.

“We looked a bit jaded tonight and I thought they finished the game a bit younger and sprightlier while we sort-of ended a bit old and tired. That’s what it looked like, but the lads gassed out and they gave me everything.”

Reflecting on the decisive goal, Warne said he was happy with the luck that went his way and said he felt there was a degree of mixed feelings given that he felt his side could’ve showed more attacking conviction but still had the moment to get it done.

He said, “It was scrappy. It was a great header from Ben Wiles and we got lucky it fell to Collins. I don’t know how he missed it, he hit the post and we got lucky it hit the keeper and went in. I didn’t think we’d been on the end of much luck so that makes a nice change and in fairness, we had other opportunities where Gilbey hit the bar and things like that where we looked a little more like it. The frustration for me is that when we got into crossing positions, they were all a little bit floaty and safe, but then ironically we scored off a floaty and safe one and its hard to be double standards about it.

“We sort of missed today a little bit of aggression in the final third. I just didn’t think we were as good as we have been, but I’m picking holes. We’d won again and that’s a good thing.”

MK Dons went with an unchanged line-up for the contest and Warne said he felt he would now consider changes for a quick turnaround, with the Dons’ next match against Barnet being in the Saturday lunchtime slot.

He said, “With three games in a week, I don’t normally go unchanged, however, if I was going to do any changes, I’d be more likely to go for the Saturday game than the midweek one.

“It’s a quick turnaround from Wednesday night to Saturday morning, so it’s something we’ll have to look at for sure.”